Surgery won't stop Williams

Date: December 21 2012

Tennis

ORGANISERS say Serena Williams will take part in this month's Brisbane International tournament despite undergoing minor surgery on her problematic feet.

The 14-time major winner has withdrawn from an exhibition match in Thailand following the surgery but Brisbane International tournament director Cameron Pearson says he has been assured by Williams' agent that she will compete at Pat Rafter Arena.

''She'll be fit and ready for Brisbane,'' Pearson said on Thursday.

''She just needed a little bit more time than what the Thailand exhibition match gave her to be ready.

''I guess it's a bit of a compliment that she wants to tailor her preparation around playing Brisbane.''

The American world No. 3 has been dogged by foot problems after stepping on glass in 2010.

Williams will be joining seven of the world's top 10 women's players for the Brisbane tournament including No. 1-ranked Victoria Azarenka and No. 2 Maria Sharapova.

The five-time Australian Open winner played at last year's Brisbane International but pulled out with an ankle injury at the quarter-final stage. The event begins on December 30.